Depression among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Depressive disorders are a significant public health problem. They are prevalent, disabling, and often chronic, with a high economic burden to the society. Although depression is common, determining its prevalence across studies and within different segments of the HIV population is not easy, given the variety of methodological issues that warrant consideration. This study estimates the prevalence of depressive disorders and its correlates.
Objectives: The study sought to determine the prevalence of depression among adult HIV/AIDS respondents, attending HIV/AIDS clinic in the Kwara State specialist Hospital, Sobi, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a hospital based, cross sectional, descriptive study of three hundred adult HIV/AIDS patients attending the HIV clinic of the Kwara State Specialist Hospital, Sobi, Ilorin from 1st of March to 3oth July, 2014. Informed consent was obtained from the respondents. The PHQ-9 was administered to the respondents to screen for depression. A pre-tested PHQ-9 questionnaire was used to collect data. Subjects who scored one and more were assessed clinically for depression. The severity of the depression was further classified as minimal, mild, moderate and severe. The three keys to social determinants of depression (SDS) were assessed and the association with depression sought.
Results: One hundred and seventy (56.7%) satisfied the criteria for a depressive disorder using the PHQ-9 score. Depressive symptoms were strongly related to gender, below average year of schooling, poor economic status, low social cohesion and stressful life events.
Conclusion: Clinicians should assess HIV-infected people for depression, to ensure early detection and treatment. Failure to recognize depression may endanger both the subjects and others in the community. This result calls for improved public health education and awareness to highlight the health impact of depressive symptoms among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Keywords: Prevalence; Depression; HIV/AIDS; People Living with HIV/AIDS